Four Seasons Hotel Silicon Valley at East Palo Alto boasts an extensive art collection that brings together a rich collection of modern and contemporary art and artefacts. Much of the collection is on view in the public areas of the Hotel.

The Hotel has created a podcast highlighting the art in the collection. Listen to interviews with some of the artists, and commentaries from other art experts with special knowledge of the collection. This podcast is available from the Concierge, or you can download the podcast by following this link.

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The gallery's intimate space displays works of contemporary art by emerging and renowned visual artists from across the United States. Fine arts represented include paintings, sculpture, collage, mixed media, etchings and monotypes. Styles range from portrait and abstract art to photorealism and contemporary landscapes.
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The world's largest museum for preserving and presenting the revolutionary history of computing and its impact on the human experience. Discover how computing changed the way we work, live and play.
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The Coyote Point Museum depicts the natural history of California through engaging and educational experiences, and strives to demonstrate the importance of conservation. Guests can enjoy wildlife habitat gardens, a butterfly garden, displays of plants and animals in their natural setting and programmes that relate to the global environment.
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Elizabeth Gamble Garden showcases gardens and a 1902 Georgian Revival house on a 2.3-acre (0.9 hectare) estate. It was built for Edwin Percy Gamble, son of the founder of Procter & Gamble, and is now run as a non-profit community horticultural foundation. Visitors can enjoy the historic home, carriage house, tea house and formal and demonstration gardens. Admission is free, with self-guided tours.
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One of the oldest and largest companies in the United States dealing with fine period graphics, Lyons specialises in etchings, engravings and lithographs dating from 1490 to 1920.
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The Palo Alto Junior Museum and Zoo is a place where kids can think, create and play. Check out our engaging exhibits – Color and Light, in the main exhibit hall, is the newest. See our two new baby swell sharks and two leopard sharks, making their home in a new 500-gallon (1,892-litre) saltwater tank, and visit the Museum and Zoo's other fish from the Bay and open ocean.

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TheatreWorks presents outstanding regional theatre and has a national reputation for artistic innovation and integrity.
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Voshan offers a variety of artwork from a rapidly growing network of artists. The gallery specialises in matching artwork to client needs.

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One of the best-kept secrets in Palo Alto, the newly renovated Allied Arts Guild features Spanish Colonial–style buildings that play host to a number of art studios and gift shops, in a garden setting of fountains and flower-lined walkways. Browse the Guild's unique shops for a wide array of gift items including china, picture frames, lamps, candy, teas, fine hats, jewellery and art.

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Mountain View Center for the Performing Arts hosts a comprehensive performing arts programme to celebrate the arts.
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One of the top outdoor concert facilities in the country.
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The San Francisco Bay Area’s premier shopping and dining experience features Neiman Marcus, Bloomingdale’s, Nordstrom, Macy’s and Macy’s Men’s Store, plus 140 other world-class stores, restaurants and services. One of the few open-air shopping centres in the United States, Stanford Shopping Center features spectacular, award-winning gardens, and sculptures by California artists.
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Free one-hour campus walking tours are led by student guides who are well versed in the university's history. Tours include the main quad, Memorial Church, science and engineering buildings, White Plaza, Stanford bookstore and libraries. Tours depart from Visitor Information Services, located in Memorial Auditorium, and are offered every day throughout the year. Parties of 10 or more must book a private tour. Direct e-mail inquiries to visitorinfo@stanford.edu.
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There is always something to see in Sunset's garden. The flower beds are re-planted at least three times a year, and there are more than 300 kinds of shrubs, trees, vines, ground covers, annuals and perennials in the garden at any given time. The gardens are normally open for self-guided walking tours.

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The American Musical Theatre of San José is committed to presenting, preserving, producing and promoting professional musical theatre of the highest calibre.
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The Center houses a diverse collection of some 25,000 objects, ranging from 4,000-year-old antiquities to works from the modern era. Included is the largest collection of Rodin bronzes outside of Paris. The artworks are exhibited in 24 galleries as well as in sculpture gardens, terraces and courtyards. Nearly 100 contemporary sculptures are showcased outdoors throughout the campus.
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DesignCON is an educational conference and technology exhibition for practising engineers in the fields of semiconductor and electronic design. It attracts 7,000 attendees to the Santa Clara Convention Center in February.
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Paramount's Great America has the most rides in Northern California – everything from roller coasters to water rides. And it's the only place in the Bay Area where kids can meet and play with their favourite Nickelodeon friends.
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Since its founding in 1962, S.L.A.C. has helped yield key discoveries in elementary particle physics, a field of study that provides insight into the fundamental composition of matter. Tours are available to everyone 12 and older, last about two hours and generally include an overview of particle physics research, a view of the giant detectors required to observe subatomic particles and a stroll down Klystron Gallery, the world’s longest building. Advance reservations are required to join a tour.
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The Children's Discovery Museum of San José is a centre for learning and discovery. It offers interactive exhibits and programmes for children in a warm and inviting setting. As a centre for creative play and expression, the museum provides opportunities for all of us to discover the world through the eyes of our children.
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A property of the National Trust for Historic Preservation, this 43-room mansion and exquisite gardens are set on a 654-acre (265-hectare) estate. Filoli reflects the opulent lifestyle enjoyed by prominent San Franciscans Mr. and Mrs. William B. Bourn II during the early 20th century. The mansion was built between 1916 and 1919 and is a definitive example of country home architecture. The 16 acres (6.5 hectares) of formal gardens are designed as a sequence of rooms and feature a collection of more than 500 varieties of roses. Filoli was once used as the set of the TV series Dynasty. Admission includes self-guided tours, guided tours and nature hikes.
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Glenoaks provides individual equestrian training programs for all levels, from beginners to Grand Prix, and for all ages – children, juniors and adults. The Center is located a short drive from the Hotel. Please contact our Concierge for assistance with lessons and appointments.
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A vibrant and diverse mix of shopping, dining and entertainment, with a combination of boutiques, national and regional stores and wonderful local restaurants. Santana Row offers Gucci and Escada alongside antique stores, art dealers, small coffee shops, independent restaurants and gift shops.
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This California-certified farmers market in San Francisco offers produce and flowers from small regional farmers and ranchers. On Saturdays, the market is held both in front of the Ferry Building on the Embarcadero and on the rear plaza overlooking the Bay. On other days, the market spills out of the Arcades onto the Embarcadero sidewalk. Please see our Concierge for directions and market times.

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Features a 225,000-square-foot (20,900-square-metre) Nordstrom store, a Macy's and a Macy's Men’s Store, as well as many other world-class retailers.
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A concentration of more than 20 antique shops lining 15 blocks, offering everything from ornate Victorian furniture to 1970s pop-culture relics.

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Northern California’s premier sports and entertainment venue, HP Pavilion is home to the San José Sharks hockey team.
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Home to the San Francisco 49ers football team.
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A non-profit organisation, Montalvo occupies a Mediterranean-style villa set in a 175-acre (71-hectare) estate in the Saratoga hills. The estate was left by Senator James Duval Phelan to be used for the encouragement of art, music, literature and architecture.
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North America's largest commercial exhibition of light-powered technologies, including optics, lasers, biomedical optics, optoelectronic components and imaging technologies. No other event covers the full range of applications and technologies. Photonics West attracts 800 exhibitors and 13,000 attendees to the San José Convention Center in January.
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SEMICON West is the premier venue for reaching the global semiconductor and flat panel display industries. Each event delivers the latest and most extensive information available. Over 1,500 exhibitors and 15,000 attendees gather in July at the Moscone Center, San Francisco.
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The Tech focuses on how technology works and how it is changing every aspect of the way we work, live, play and learn. The museum's main focus is people and technology.
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The Golden Gate Bridge is recognised the world over as the international symbol of San Francisco. Built in 1937, it has a 1.7-mile (2.7-kilometre) suspension span and was designed to withstand gale-force winds and earthquakes. Over 40 million vehicles a year use it to cross the strait separating Marin County from the city. One of five bridges that span San Francisco Bay, it can be crossed by car, on bicycle or on foot. Please see our Concierge for maps and directions.
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Start this all-day tour aboard a chauffeured luxury van. You will have views of Golden Gate Bridge, Marina District, Palace of Fine Arts, Presidio National Park, Marin Headlands, Mount Tamalpais, Muir Woods National Monument and the bayside town of Sausalito. Next, a 10-minute ferry ride across San Francisco Bay takes you to infamous Alcatraz Island, home to the likes of Al Capone, George "Machine Gun" Kelley and Robert "The Birdman" Stroud. The tour includes a movie of Alcatraz history and a self-guided audio tour, and lasts a total of six to eight hours.

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Pier 39 in San Francisco offers an array of restaurants, shops, rides and attractions, including UnderWater World, tours on the Blue and Gold Fleet, boisterous sea lions, mimes, jugglers and magicians.
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Home to the San Francisco Giants baseball team, the newly designed SBC Park features an 80-foot (24-metre) Coca-Cola bottle and playground slides. A miniature SBC Park behind left field has become a magnet for kids of all of ages.
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Enjoy the view of San Francisco from the comfortable enclosed cabin of a 55-foot (17-metre) or 65-foot (20-metre) catamaran, or step on deck to feel the cool breeze off the Bay. Sail by Alcatraz Island on the way to the Golden Gate, look for sea lions and cruise past the city. Choose a 1.5-hour daytime or sunset cruise.
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Zeum is an innovative project – an entire city block has been developed as an urban destination for youth. Zeum's mission is to foster the creativity of young people by providing a hands-on, participatory environment for youth arts expression. Gracing the entrance to Zeum is the historic 1906 Charles Looff Carousel from San Francisco's former amusement park, Playland-at-the-Beach.
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Housed within the walls of San Francisco's Palace of Fine Arts, the Exploratorium is a collage of hundreds of science, art and human perception exhibits. The Exploratorium is a leader in the movement to promote museums as educational centres.
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The James V. Fitzgerald Marine Reserve offers three miles of beach and rock inhabited by an abundance of marine life, and is one of the best places in California to view tidepools. Please see our Concierge for a tide schedule, and directions.

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Bonfante Gardens combines the beauty of magnificent gardens, exotic plant life, waterfalls and greenery with the excitement of a traditional family theme park.
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A short drive to the coast will take you to spectacular Año Nuevo State Park, with its wealth of nature hikes and an excellent opportunity to view elephant seals and sea lions. This 4,000-acre (1,600-hectare) reserve is a major gathering area for northern elephant seals, which may be seen year-round. You’ll wind through native California flora on a 3-mile (5-kilometre) hike (round-trip) over sand dunes and sea kelp beds to the breeding grounds of the elephant seal. Advance reservations are required. Just south of the park lies Santa Cruz, with its famous boardwalk amusement park. During the breeding season, December 15 through March 31, daily access to the reserve is available only via guided walks. Please contact our Concierge for directions.
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This historic amusement park, a half-mile (0.8 kilometres) long, is next to Santa Cruz's mile-long (1.6-kilometre) main beach. The boardwalk has more than 34 rides and attractions, and features two national historic landmarks – the 1924 Giant Dipper roller coaster and the 1911 Looff Carousel – as well as modern ride thrills, dozens of restaurants, shops, games, indoor arcades and miniature golf.
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Features the Champ Car World Series in September at the Laguna Seca Raceway in Salinas.
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There are always new reasons to visit the Monterey Bay Aquarium – exciting new exhibits, animals and family activities, and special events. The Aquarium is located on Monterey's historic Cannery Row, on the edge of beautiful Monterey Bay, just minutes from Carmel and Pebble Beach. Please contact the Concierge for maps, directions and a current schedule.
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The area has become recognised as a unique grape-growing region. There are now over 40 small, family-owned wineries in the region. Most wineries are open by appointment only. Please see our Concierge for maps and to make appointments.
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Highlights of this tour aboard an air-conditioned motor coach include Golden Gate Bridge, the Marina District, Palace of Fine Arts, Cliff House, Nob Hill, Chinatown, the Financial District, Presidio National Park, Golden Gate Park, Civic Center and Little Italy in North Beach. Pick-up for this tour is at the Hotel.
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Experienced local guides will take you through some of California's finest wineries – and pamper you with champagne. Sit back and relax in your personal limousine as you take in the scenic wonders of wine country, and spend the day tasting the wine and champagne of the Napa Valley. During the day, enjoy a gourmet picnic lunch at a scenic winery, or delight yourself at a world-famous restaurant. The tour starts and finishes at the Hotel.

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A scenic trip along the coast, aboard a chauffeured luxury van. Travel through Santa Cruz, visit Cannery Row in Monterey, and experience the 17 Mile Drive including Pebble Beach Golf Course and the Lone Cypress. Your tour returns through Silicon Valley, the high-tech capital of the world. This tour starts and finishes at the Hotel.
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